Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-11-14
MAINE DISPATCHES.
THE DEXTER BANK ROBBERY.
A Cock-and- Bull Story Just Given Cir
culation. Two Improbable to be of
Importance.
boston. NOV. I3.

BosToN, Nov. l3.
The Globe has published new revelation
in regard to the Dexter Bank Robbery which
though It may be easily proven fabrication
Is nevertheless interesting. Certain allega-
tons are made in book by George W. Wal
ling who for 81 years was connected with the
New York police as patrolman, detective
captain and chief of force
Mr.. Wallng distinctly states in his nara
tive that George Leondas Leslie, alias Geo.
Howard, robbed the Dexter savings bank at
Dexter, Me, Feb. 22. 1873. The crime he
says was planned and perpetrated by the
same gang who Oct. q, 1873, robbed the
Manhattan Institution for savings in New
York city. ON that occasion the total sum
amounted to s2,747, 700, of which 81 500, 700
was in registered bonds, s24I 900 in cou-
pom bonds and sl2, ,7G4 in cash The author
says
Three years previous (that is previous
y to the Manhattan and Dexter robberies) J, a
y u''iAhAt VI sunni VI tilt lDTtHlOsI burglars
in America had planned this Manhattan dar-
ing robbery. The chiefs partaking in that
conspiracy were George Lcouidas Leslie,
alias Howard, Jimmy Hope, jim Brady,
'Abc' Coakley, John, alias Red Leary,
'Shang' Draper, Johnnie Dobbs, Sam
Pcrris, Worcester SAM, Pete Emerson
& Banjo PeteD, Mother Maudelbaum and
John d. Grady known as the banker of the
burglars The preliminary expenses OF
working up the burglary were largely borne
by Grady. Mrs Maudelbaum also contribu-
ted considerable money.
The Manhattan Bank was robbed and af-
ter much investigation it was ascertained
that the men actually engaged in the robbery
were Jimmy Hope Abe Coaklcy, anc
/ Pete Emerson who were aided outside by
John Ncugcnt, It policeman of the eighteenth
prccint who was ON the sick list, aud after
ward arrested in IIoboken for an attrociou,
aud daring highway robbery on bank Off
Ger.
The gang escaped apprehension until Feb
+ lo. lS79, when Johnnie Hope, son of tn,
rcduubtablc Jimmy WAS arrested by De
tcctiyc Nolan as he was coming out of the
Theatre Comique.
On june of the same year, Captain
IIyrnc had in custody Shcvlin. Hope, Kelley
of Coaklc, and Pete Emerson soon follow
ed"
Having reviewed further incidents in con
ncction with the Manhattan affair, Walling
makc>t the following startling statements;
"Whcu in February 1873, several months
before the Manhattan robbery, it was plan
ned to rob the Dexter Savings Bank at Dex-
ter. Me, Leslie did what is known as the
outside work. In committing the robbery
which urtted a very small amount of money,
the cashier, James w Barron, had to be
gagged The scheme was consummated on
the 22d of February. ISIS. Leslie was com
plctely unuerycd by the result of Barrons $
injuries and Fastening to his wife at Balti-
plorc declared that he should change his
Itlliltf W llfiiAs ne pHthtA IL tASdi 0ApiN
and for awhile lived quietly. After a short
time however he left his wife with the UNI
derstandiug that he was going to Albany. n.
Y This was in April 1873. He returned
three weeks later, utterly prostrated and ap-
parcutlv in terror He said he had made a
made mistake and spoke of assassination,
very vaguely.
An Mrs Leslie inferred was that in some
way or other he had got into i'll repute with
his associates in crime. When the facts of
the Dexter Bank robbery came out she said
she had no doubt that Leslie, unnerved of
the murder. had dropped a hint by which
some detective in his confidence had made
capital
She saw him alive for the last time May
10. lie then gave her small sum of mon
ev and told her he had secreted another sun
in the house which might prove very useful
To her There is no doubt that when Leslie
left his wifc--they were then in Philadelphia
--he went directly to Brooklyn, to the house
lnl Iynch St. where lived 'Shang' Draper
Jimmie Mooney and Gilbert lost. llarc
by. at l59 Patchcn avenue, lived Billy Por
ter and Johnnie Irving. There is little less
doubt that two weeks afterward Leslie was
murdered by his associates aud his body
carried to Tramp'> Rock, Yonkers, where i
was subsequently found.
f This is very good story. but it is eithe
false or terrible inaccuracies are made in thu
statements: chief among them calcu
lations of events regulated by the dates %
the two great robberies The Dexter banI
robbery occurred February 22, 1873. and tht
Manhattan. Oct p, 1873. Mr.. Walling in
forms Ms that Leslie. whom he declared par
ticipated in both robberies, was last seen b,
his wife ON MAY 10. and one is led TO infer
from his account published above that it wa
Nav 10. 1873 He then goes on To state
that only a few weeks after May 10, 1879
Leslie was murdered If this part of the
narrative is reliable Leslie was murdered
some time in June. lS7S.--several months be-
fore the commission of the Manhattan bani
robbery. in which he is alleged to have par
ticipated. MIR. Walling must make this !
trihe clearer before his account of the Dex
fer affair can be given official recognition.